JP2001188939A - Card issuing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card issuing device which sends a card fed from a card storage part 33 into a card data processing part 34 without curving it. SOLUTION: The card storage part 33 which stores cards, a card payout part 32 which feeds a card from the card storage part 33, and the card data processing part 34 which processes data of the cards are provided in promiximity in a row arrangement. A card carrying means 35 for carrying the card in the direction where the card payout part 32 and card data processing part 34 are provided in promiximity in a row arrangement, is arranged. A carrier 131 of the card carrying means 35 moves between a reception position where the card fed from the card storage part 33 is received and a position where the card is sent into the card data processing part 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card issuing apparatus for processing and issuing data of a card fed from a card storage unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a card issuing device, for example, the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-297879 is known.

In this card issuing apparatus, a plurality of card storage units for storing cards in a horizontal position by type at the front side in the body and a card feeding unit for feeding the cards in each card storage unit rearward in a horizontal position are vertically arranged. A vertical transport unit for vertically transporting cards in a vertical position is arranged behind these card storage units, and a card data processing unit is continuously arranged at an upper end of the vertical transport unit. A payout transport unit that pays out a card in a horizontal position to a card payout exit is disposed on the front side near the upper end of the card. A sorting lever for sorting and a card collecting unit for collecting the sorted cards are provided.

When the issuance of a card is instructed, the card in the card storage unit of the type of which issuance is instructed to be fed out of the card storage unit in a horizontal posture, and the card in the horizontal posture is curved while the card is in a vertical posture. After the card is processed by the card data processing unit and processed by the card data processing unit, the card in the vertical position is converted from the vertical transfer unit to the horizontal position while being curved. The card is sent to the pay-out transport section, and the pay-out transport section pays out the card in a horizontal posture to the card payout port.

A card which is determined to be unsuitable for issuance by the card data processing unit is sent from the card data processing unit to the paying-out transportation unit via the vertical transportation unit, and is sorted downward by the distribution lever to be transferred to the card collection unit. And the card collection process takes time.

[0006]

Recently, as a card,
Because of the large amount of information that can be stored, IC cards are being widely adopted. This IC card is relatively thick and has high rigidity due to the built-in IC circuit.

However, when an IC card is issued by a conventional card issuing device, the card is bent and the posture is changed, so that there is a problem that the card is damaged when bent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a card issuing apparatus which can feed a card fed from a card storage unit to a card data processing unit without bending the card. .

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card issuing device for storing a card in a stacked state, a card feeding unit for feeding out the cards in the card storing unit one by one, and a card feeding unit. A card data processing unit that is arranged alongside the unit and processes card data; and moves between a receiving position for receiving a card fed by the card feeding unit and a sending position for sending a card to the card data processing unit. Card transport means.

[0010] Then, in a state in which the card transport means is located at the receiving position, the card in the card storage section is paid out by driving the card feeding section, and the card transport means receives the card. Next, the card transport means moves to the sending position, and sends the card to the card data processing unit. The card data processing unit processes the card data and issues a normal card.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the card issuance device according to the first aspect, wherein the card issuance unit is provided in the vicinity of the sending position and collects a card unsuitable for issuance ejected from the card data processing unit. It has a unit.

[0012] Cards that are not suitable for issuance are ejected from the card data processing unit and collected by the card collection unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the card issuance apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the card transporting means includes a carrier for receiving and holding the card and sending it out, and a carrier for receiving and transferring the carrier. And a transfer mechanism for moving the transfer mechanism to and from the loading position.

Then, the card fed from the card storage unit is received and held by a carrier, and the carrier moves to the sending position, and sends the card to the card data processing unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the card issuing apparatus according to the third aspect, the carrier includes a pair of nipping rollers for nipping and transporting the card, a driving mechanism for driving the pair of nipping rollers, and A guide surface is provided on the card data processing unit side of the roller pair and supports the lower surface of the card to be nipped and conveyed, and an opening is provided on the opposite side of the card data processing unit side of the nipping roller pair. Things.

Then, the card to be received by the carrier is nipped and conveyed by the pair of nipping rollers of the carrier, and the card fed from the carrier is nipped and conveyed. If the card sent to the card data processing unit is not suitable for issuance, the card returned to the transport body is nipped and conveyed to the opposite side of the card data processing unit by a pair of nipping rollers, and a guide surface supporting the lower surface of the card is provided. The card is collected in the card collection unit through the opening that does not exist.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the card issuance apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the card conveying means stands by at a sending position with the carrier holding the card at the time of standby for issuance. The card is sent from the carrier to the card data processing unit based on the command.

[0018] Then, at the time of issuing standby, the carrier stands by at the sending position to the card data processing unit while holding the card, and sends the card to the card data processing unit based on the issuing instruction.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a card issuing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 12 show a first embodiment. A card feeding device stores a plurality of cards in advance and feeds out the cards one by one based on an external instruction. Installed in card vending machines for sale.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of a card vending machine 11. This card vending machine 11 has a box-shaped card vending machine main body 12 having an open front and a front surface of the card vending machine main body 12 as an airframe. The door 13 is provided so as to be openable and closable.

In the card vending machine main unit 12, a card issuance unit 14 for paying out a card loaded in advance and performing a predetermined process and issuing the card, accepts and discriminates banknotes (a plurality of denominations), and stores them by denomination. A bill processing unit 15 for paying out fishing bills (thousand-yen bills), a printing unit 16 for printing sales, etc., a power supply unit 17, and various types of substrates 19 including a control substrate 18 on which a control unit is mounted are arranged. ing.

On the front surface of the door 13, a display unit 21 as a clogging display means constituted by a liquid crystal display screen, a plurality of illuminated amount selection buttons 22 for designating the amount to be sold or deposited are designated. Confirmation button 23 instructing the issuance of a card of the amount paid, a cancel button 24 instructing the cancellation of card issuance, a card issuing slot 25 in which the card is issued, a bill insertion slot 26 in which bills are inserted, and a bill payment in which bills are paid out. A payout display unit 28 for blinking and displaying that the bill has been paid out is provided at the exit 27 and the bill payout exit 27, respectively. On the back surface of the door 13, a staff operation unit 29 operated by a staff during maintenance is arranged.

The display unit 21 displays operation guidance for the user, and furthermore, when a fishing bill runs out or a card is jammed, the fact is displayed.

1 and 2, a card issuing unit 14 is shown. The card issuing unit 14 is mounted on a shelf 31 disposed on the upper side in the card vending machine main body 12. I have. A plurality of card feeding units 32 for feeding cards toward the rear of the machine are arranged on the shelf plate 31 in the machine width direction, and three card feeding units 32 are arranged side by side in the present embodiment (first from the left as viewed from the left,
A card storage unit 33 is removably mounted on each of the card feeding units 32 (the card storage unit 33 attached to the first card feeding unit 32 is a first card feeding unit 32). The same applies to the second and third card storage sections 33).

On the left side of the first card feeding section 32, there is arranged a card processing section 34 as a card data processing section for reading and writing data on a card sent from behind and sending it forward or backward.

From the rear of the card processing section 34 to the rear of the third card feeding section 32, a card transport section 35 is provided as card transport means for transporting the cards fed from each card feeding section 32 to the card processing section 34. Can be

Behind the card processing unit 34, a reject card collection unit 36 for collecting cards inappropriate for issuance is arranged.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a card storage section 33. The card storage section 33 includes a card storage box 42 having a card storage space 41 capable of storing a plurality of cards C in a vertically stacked state. A card refill port 43 for refilling the card C into the card storage space 41 is formed on the front surface of the card storage box 42 (the surface corresponding to the front surface when the card storage device 11 is mounted). A replenishment door 44 for opening and closing the card replenishment slot 43 is attached.

An inclined portion 45 having a lower end inclined rearward is formed at a lower portion of the front surface in the card storage portion 33.
As a result, of the cards C stored in the card storage section 33, the lowest card C to be fed and the card C near the lowest are shifted obliquely rearward to ensure the feeding operation. And

A card outlet 46 through which the card C can pass is formed at one side of the card storage section 33, that is, at a lower position on the rear surface, and a shutter member 47 is attached to the card outlet 46. The shutter member 47 is movably supported between a closed position where the card C is prevented from being fed out from the card feeding port 46 and an open position where it is retracted upward and allows the card C to be fed out. Spring biased. When the card storage unit 33 is removed from the card feeding unit 32, the shutter member is biased by a spring.
When 47 takes the closed position and is attached to the card feeding section 32,
The shutter member 47 is pushed up to the open position by the upper gate member 87 on the card feeding section 32 side.

The bottom surface 48 of the card storage portion 33 supports the card C loaded therein.
The extrusion member opening 4 into which the side extrusion member 67 enters and moves.
9, a sold-out detection lever opening 50 into which the sold-out detection lever 103 on the card feeding section 32 enters, and a lower gate member opening 51 into which the lower gate member 88 on the card feeding section 32 enters are formed. I have.

On both side surfaces of the card storage portion 33, extension portions 52 extending below the bottom surface 48 are formed.
When the card is placed on the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32, the two extending portions 52 engage the card feeding portion 32 on both sides and are positioned in the machine body width direction. At the lower edge of the extending portion 52, an engaging recess 53 is formed which engages with the engaging protrusion 119 of the guide member 111 on the card feeding portion 32 side.

4 and 5, a card feeding portion 32 is shown, and a substantially U-shaped portion having both side portions 61 and a rear surface portion 62 is provided at both side positions and a rearward position of the card feeding portion 32. A guide plate 63 is provided upright, and the guide plate 63 constitutes a mounting section 64 to which the card storage section 33 is removably mounted.

The card feeding section 32 has a box body 65, and the upper surface of the box body 65 is configured as a mounting surface 66 on which the card storage section 33 is mounted.

An extruding member 67 is arranged movably in the front-rear direction from near the front end of the card feeding section 32 to near the intermediate position. The pushing member 67 protrudes from the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32 through the pushing member opening 68 formed in the mounting surface 66 along the front-rear direction. A surface 69 is formed, and an extrusion step 70 is formed near the front end and protrudes upward to be able to engage with the front edge of one card C. In front of the extrusion step 70, on both sides of the extrusion member 67, support rollers 71 projecting about 1 mm from the upper surface of the extrusion member 67 are rotatably mounted.

The pushing member 67 is supported by a slide member 73 movable in the front-rear direction along a guide rod 72 extending in the front-rear direction in the card feeding section 32.
Is driven in the front-rear direction via the link mechanism 75.

The link mechanism 75 has a first link 76 and a second link 77, and the lower end of the first link 76 is pivotally supported in the card feeding section 32 by a support shaft 78 so as to be able to swing back and forth. Then, the upper end of the first link 76 is engaged with the pin 79 of the slide member 73 via the elongated hole 80, and the front end of the second link 77 is connected to the intermediate portion of the first link 76 via the pin 81. And the rear end of the second link 77 is connected to the extension drive motor 74.
Pin at the eccentric position of the drive pulley 82 rotated by the
It is linked via 83.

When the feeding drive motor 74 is driven, the slide member 73 moves in the front-rear direction along the guide rod 72, and the pushing member connected to the slide member 73.
67 is moved back and forth. The pushing member 67 has a pushing position at which the pushing step 70 is located forward of the inclined portion 45 in the card storage portion 33 (a position shown in FIG. 4), and a backward distance (approximately 2.
5 mm), and is reciprocated between the extended position (the position shown in FIG. 3).

In order to detect that the pushing member 67 is at the standby position, a positioning detecting sensor 84 for detecting the detecting piece 83 of the slide member 73 is provided.

In the vicinity of the rear end of the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32, a card feeding opening 86 is formed between the lower end of the rear plate 62 of the guide plate 63 and the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32. An upper gate member 87 provided on the guide plate 63 side is arranged above the opening 86, and a lower gate member 88 is arranged below, and the upper gate member 87 and the lower gate member 88 cooperate with each other. A gate unit 89 is configured.

The lower gate member 88 is projected through a lower gate member opening 90 on the upper surface of the card feeding portion 82, and two guide rollers 91 projecting about 1 mm from the upper surface of the lower gate member 88 are arranged in front and rear. Each is attached rotatably. A gap through which only one card C can pass is formed between the upper surface of the rear support roller 91 and the upper gate member 87, and is configured to prevent two cards C from being taken out. .

A transport roller 93 is rotatably supported at the lower rear side of the card feeding opening 86.
A belt 95 is stretched between a driven pulley 94 and a driving pulley 82 which rotate together with the driven pulley 94. By the driving of the feeding drive motor 74, the transport roller 93 is driven to rotate in the card feeding direction (rearward) simultaneously with the movement of the pushing member 67.

Above the transport roller 93, an opposing roller 96 is disposed on the rear side of the rear plate 62 of the guide plate 63, and a shaft supporting member 97 that rotatably supports the opposing roller 96 is provided at the rear. It is arranged in a guide cylinder 98 attached to the face plate 62 so as to be vertically movable. The shaft support member 97 is urged by a spring 99 in a direction in which the opposing roller 96 contacts the transport roller 93.

The sold-out detection mechanism 101 is disposed on the upper surface of the card feeding section 32, at a position where the pushing member 67 moves and the lower gate member 88 is avoided. The sold-out detection mechanism 101 is movably supported between a protruding position that protrudes upward through a sold-out detection lever opening 102 formed on the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32 and a retracted position that is pushed down, and Sold-out detection lever urged toward the protruding position
The sold-out detection lever 103 is configured to detect whether the sold-out detection lever 103 is located at a protruding position or a retracted position.

A feeding detection sensor 105 as a clogging detecting means such as an optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the card C is disposed outside the gate portion 86 in the card feeding direction. At the time of the card feeding operation, the feeding detection sensor 105 is shielded from light by the fed card C. If the card C returns to the light transmitting state within a predetermined time, it is determined that the card C is normally fed. Is determined to have occurred.

The card feeding section 32 has a card storage section.
A guide member 111 is attached as a guide that guides the side opposite to the card feeding direction of the card storage section 33, that is, the front side when the 33 is attached and detached.

As shown in FIG. 6, the guide member 111 is formed in a substantially U-shape by a guide portion 112 and mounting portions 113 on both sides extending from both ends of the guide portion 112. A guide surface portion 115 having a downwardly inclined surface 114 for guiding the front side of the card storage portion 33 is provided on the rear side of the guide portion 112, and a card feeding portion is provided on a lower edge of the guide portion 112.
A positioning protrusion 117 as a locking portion inserted into a positioning hole 116 formed on the upper surface of the projection 32 is provided in a protruding manner. A bearing 118 is rotatably supported on the inside of the distal end of each mounting portion 113, and an engaging projection 119 projecting outward at an intermediate position is bent.

Bearing of each mounting portion 113 of guide member 111
118 is engaged with a long hole (not shown) formed on both sides of the card feeding portion 32 along the front-rear direction, and the bearing 118 moves in the long hole, so that the guide member 111 can slide in the front-rear direction. Supported.

The guide member 111 is moved rearward, and the guide portion 112 is located on the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32.
The position where 17 is inserted into the positioning hole 116 is the guide position. On the other hand, a position where the guide member 111 is pushed forward and further pushed down, and the guide portion 112 is lowered from the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32 is set as a retreat position. And the guide member 11
When 1 is in the guide position, the card
3 is guided by the guide surface portion 115, and when the guide member 111 is at the retracted position, the guide portion 112 is lower than the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32, and the card storage portion 33 can be pulled out horizontally forward. Will be possible.

When the card storage section 33 is loaded, an engagement recess 53 formed at the lower side of the card storage section 33 is formed.
Are the engagement protrusions 11 formed on the mounting portion 113 of the guide member 111.
9 is engaged.

Next, in FIG. 8, the card processing unit 34
A card transport path 121 penetrating back and forth is provided inside, and a front end of the card transport path 121 is communicated with a card issuing port 25 of the door 13 of the card vending machine 11. The card transport path 121 is
It has a transport mechanism 122 composed of a transport belt and a transport roller,
The received card C can be transported in both front and rear directions (drive for transporting the card C forward is defined as forward drive, and drive for transporting the card C is defined as reverse drive). In the middle of the card transport path 121, a data processing unit 123 for reading and rewriting data of the card C and sensors (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the card C are arranged.

Next, in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the card transport section 35 has a transport body 131 for holding and transporting the card C. It is configured to move along a movement area 132 in the body left-right direction behind the card processing unit 32 and the card processing unit 34.

The moving body 131 is moved by a cylindrical guide rod 133 disposed along the forward position of the moving area 132 and a substantially U-shaped cross section disposed along the rear position of the moving area 132. It is guided by a letter-shaped guide rail 134.

The transport mechanism 135 for moving the moving body 131 has pulleys 136 disposed on both left and right sides of the moving area 132 and a transport belt 137 stretched between these pulleys 136. By rotating the transport belt 137 via the pulley 134, the transport body 131 connected to the transport belt 137 is moved. The carrier 131 has a standby position at a position behind the card processing unit 34, a sending position for sending the card C to the data processing unit 34, and a card feeding unit.
The rear position of 32 is the receiving position for receiving the card C.

A detecting plate 140 having a slit 139 protrudes from the front surface of the carrier 131. On the other hand, each card feeding section 32 and the card processing section 3 along the moving area 132 of the carrier 131
Positioning sensors 141 are fixedly arranged at positions corresponding to 4, respectively. Further, on the left side of the positioning sensor 141 corresponding to each card feeding unit 32 and on the right side of the positioning sensor 141 corresponding to the card processing unit 34, preparation sensors 142 are arranged at predetermined intervals. Carrier 1
When moving 31, the initial stage is moved at a relatively high speed, the speed is reduced when the preparation sensor 142 detects the detection plate 140, and the carrier 131 is stopped when the positioning sensor 141 detects the detection plate 140, In addition, the moving time can be reduced and accurate positioning can be performed.

The carrier 131 has a lower frame portion 144 and an upper frame portion 145, and a slide member 146 slidably engaged with the guide rod 133 is attached to the front surface of the lower frame portion 144. A detection plate 140 is attached, and a guide roller 147 rotatably engaged with a guide rail 134 is rotatably supported on the rear surface of the lower frame portion 144. Upper frame 145
Is supported so as to be openable and closable upward about a support shaft 148 that rotatably connects a rear portion of the lower frame portion 144 and a rear portion of the upper frame portion 145 to each other.

A receiving passage 150 for receiving the card C from the front is formed between the lower frame portion 144 and the upper frame portion 145. The front upper surface and the upper frame portion of the lower frame portion 144 face the receiving passage 150. Guide surfaces 151 and 152 are formed on the lower surface of 145. Each guide surface 15 is provided on the lower frame portion 144 and the upper frame portion 145.
Nipping rollers 153 and 15 that enter the receiving passage 150 from the first and second 152
4 (the lower side is the driving nip roller 153, and the upper side is the driven nip roller 15
4) is rotatably supported, and these pinching rollers 153, 154
Constitutes a pair of holding rollers 155 for holding the card C fed from the front and sending it forward or backward. The lower sandwiching roller 153 of the sandwiching roller pair 155 is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions by a sandwiching drive motor 156 as a drive mechanism. The forward rotation and the backward rotation are reversed.

In the lower frame portion 144, a guide surface 151 for supporting the lower surface of the card C is not formed behind the pair of holding rollers 155, that is, an opening 157 is formed. The card C conveyed backward falls down through the opening 157.

One side surface of the receiving passage 150 serves as a reference surface 159 of one side edge of the card C, and the other side surface includes a one-sided spring formed of a leaf spring or the like bent in a tapered shape so that the front end expands. 160 are located. When the carrier 131 receives the card C, the one-sided spring 160 moves the card feeding unit 32.
In addition, even if the position of the carrier 131 is slightly shifted from the sending side of the card processing unit 34, one side edge of the card C is shifted to a normal position where it contacts the reference surface 159. A card detection sensor 161 for detecting the card C is provided on the reference surface 159 side.

Since the carrier 131 receives the card C from the front and moves in the horizontal direction, and pays out the card C when it reaches a predetermined position, the card C is not bent. Therefore, even a slightly thick card C such as an IC card can be conveyed.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a reject card collection unit 36, which is disposed behind the card processing unit 34 and collects cards C and the like that are not suitable for issuance. A posture conversion unit 171 that receives the card C discharged from the carrier 131 located at the standby position behind the card processing unit 34 through the opening 157 and converts the card C into a standing posture, and the card C received from the posture conversion unit 171. Has a collection cassette 172 for storing the collected cassettes.

The attitude converting section 171 is provided with a first guide surface 173 and a second guide surface 173 which are arranged in a substantially V shape at an angle of about 20 to 30 degrees.
Near the confluence of the two guide surfaces 173 and 174, a slit through which the card C can pass in an upright posture.
175 are formed.

The collection cassette 172 is formed in a box shape having an open upper surface, and has an integrated bottom surface 176 inclined downward and rearward on the bottom surface.
The lower end of the card C that has fallen in the standing posture flows backward along the inclination of the accumulation bottom surface 176, and the cards C are accumulated and stored in a state of being inclined backward and downward. Collection cassette
172 is detachably attached to the card vending machine main body 12, and on the card vending machine main body 12 side, an unillustrated attachment / detachment detection sensor for detecting the attachment / detachment of the collection cassette 172 is arranged. A fullness detection sensor (not shown) that detects the fullness of the card C by traversing the detection light through the fullness detection sensor through hole 177 formed near the upper end of the surface is arranged.

Next, referring to FIG.
15 is disposed below the card issuing unit 14 and near the center in the width direction of the card vending machine main body 12, for example, 1,000 yen,
5,000 yen and 10,000 yen bills of three denominations are received and identified one by one from the upper bill insertion slot 26, normal bills are temporarily stored in a temporary storage unit, and abnormal bills are returned. After the transaction is completed, the reserved banknotes are stored by denomination, and the 1,000-yen banknotes are recycled and used as fishing banknotes. When fishing is required, the required number of bills are fed out from the 1,000-yen bill storage unit, and are paid out from the bill payout port 27 in an accumulated state.

Next, the printing unit 16 is disposed on the left side of the banknote processing unit 15 and prints and issues predetermined information (sales information and the like) on roll paper loaded in advance. At the time of maintenance, a staff member can operate with the door 13 opened.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

First, replenishment of the card C will be described.

Usually, the guide member 111 of the card feeding section 32
Is located at a guide position where the guide portion 112 is located at the front end of the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32.

The door 13 of the card vending machine 11 is opened, the card storage section 33 is removed from above the card feeding section 32, the card storage section 33 is taken out of the card vending machine main body 12, and the card C is refilled. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, if the upper part of the card storage part 33 is inclined forward, it can be easily taken out. After the replenishment door 44 of the removed card storage unit 33 is opened to replenish a plurality of cards C in an accumulated state, the replenishment door 44 is closed. With the card storage section 33 removed from the card feeding section 32,
The card outlet 46 of the card storage unit 33 is closed by the shutter member 47, and the card C does not come out.

The card storage section 33 in which the card C is replenished is mounted on the card feeding section 32 in the card vending machine main body 12. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, with the upper part of the card storage part 33 inclined forward, the lower part of the front surface of the card storage part 33 is aligned with the guide part 112 of the guide member 111, and As you raise 33, the card storage section 33 becomes the card feeding section
Easy to mount on 32.

In the standby state, the card feeding section 32
Push member 67 is in the standby position in front of the
103 is in the protruding position. When the card storage section 33 is mounted, the forward portion of the pushing member 67 and the lower gate member 88 enter the card storage section 33 and slightly lift the card C inside. The sold-out detection lever 103 is pressed by the card C to the retracted position, and the presence of the card is detected. further,
By the action of the upper gate member 87 formed on the guide plate 63, the shutter member 47 of the card storage unit 33 is opened.

In this embodiment, the same type of card C is loaded into any one of the card storage sections 33. Then, first, the card C is fed out from the first card feeding section 32 and issued, and when the first card storage section 33 becomes empty or the card C cannot be fed, the second card feeding section 32 is issued. The card C is paid out from the unit 32. Further, the card C is fed from the third card feeding unit 32.

Next, the feeding of the card C will be described.

FIG. 11 shows the flow of the card C.

When the door 13 of the card vending machine 11 is closed,
Start preparing for sale.

First, the transport drive motor 138 is driven, and the transport body 131 moves to the rear of the card feeding section 32 in the order of feeding the card C. Subsequently, the feeding drive motor 74 of the card feeding section 32 is driven. When the feeding drive motor 74 is driven, the pushing member 67 moves in the card feeding direction (rearward) by the action of the link mechanism 75, and the pushing step 70 of the pushing member 67 is engaged with the front end of the lowest card C. Push in the card feeding direction. The extruded card C is supported by the support roller 91 of the lower gate member 88 in the vicinity of the rear end, and
The card is moved backward through the card outlet 46 of 33. At this time, since the support roller 91 rotates, the card C does not receive friction and does not wear. On the other hand, the transport roller 93 is rotating (clockwise in FIG. 3) in accordance with the driving of the feed drive motor 74, and the fed card C is nipped and transported by the transport roller 93 and the opposing roller 96, and stands behind. Delivered to the carrier 131.

When the lowermost card C is extruded by the pushing member 67, the next card C and the cards C stacked thereon are lifted by the pushing member 67. At this time,
The lower surface of the next card C is supported by the support roller 71 of the pushing member 67. When the pushing member 67 moves, the supporting roller 71 rotates. I will not do it. Even when the pushing member 67 retreats after reaching the pushing position, the card C, which is newly placed at the lowest position, is supported by the support rollers 71 of the pushing member 67, and the lower surface of the card C generates friction as in the case of moving forward. No wear and no wear.

When the positioning detection sensor 84 detects that the pushing member 67 has returned to the standby position, the feeding drive motor 74 is stopped.

When all the cards C in the card storage section 33 are pulled out, the sold-out detection lever 103 takes the protruding position, and the absence of the card (sold out) is detected. Similarly, when the card storage unit 33 is not attached, the absence of the card (sold out) is detected.

When the card C pushed out by the pushing member 67 is not completely transferred to the carrier 131 and becomes clogged in the vicinity of the card feeding port 46, the feeding detection sensor 105
Is blocked for a predetermined time or more, the occurrence of the card C is detected. This is displayed on the display unit 21 of the card vending machine 11, and a clerk performs a jam release process. If the jamming does not affect the feeding operation and the transporting operation from the other card feeding unit 32, the card may be switched to another card feeding unit 32 to feed the card. Will be discontinued.

In clearing the jam of the card C,
The front part of the jammed card C is in the card storage part 33, and the rear part is removed as usual while the card C is held between the transport roller 93 and the opposing roller 96. For this reason, if the card storage unit 33 is inclined obliquely forward, the spoken card C is twisted, and the card C is torn, or the card feeding port 46 of the card storage unit 33, the transport roller of the card feeding unit 32, etc. Since there is a possibility that the peripheral portion may be damaged, remove the card storage section 33 in the following procedure.

As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the card feeding section 32
After the guide member 111 is slightly lifted to disengage the positioning projection 117 of the guide member 111 from the positioning hole 116 on the upper surface of the card feeding portion 32, the guide member 111 is pulled out forward,
112 is retracted to the front of the card feeding section 32 and then pushed down. When pulling the guide member 111 forward, the guide member 1
Since the engagement projection 119 of the card holder 11 is engaged with the engagement recess 53 of the card storage part 33, the card storage part 33 is pulled out together and the guide member 111 is pushed down. Of the card storage portion 33
Disengagement from 53 releases the engagement.

If the card storage section 33 is pulled out horizontally forward with the guide member 111 being pressed down, the jammed card C
Is pulled out of the card feeding port 46 while being held between the transport roller 93 and the opposing roller 96, and the card storage section 33 is taken out. The jammed card C can be removed after the card storage section 33 is taken out.

In the case where the timing of the clogging is early and the nipping by the transport roller 93 and the opposing roller 96 is weak, when the card accommodating portion 33 is pulled out, the clogged card C
May also be removed with it.

In any case, the jammed card C is merely pulled in the front-rear direction, and no load such as twisting is applied, so that the card C itself and the peripheral portion are not damaged.

After taking out the card storage section 33, the guide member 111 is returned to the home position, and the card storage section 3 is moved in the usual manner.
Set 3.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the card C which has been normally (normally) fed from the card feeding section 32 has
It is fed into the receiving passage 121 of the cartridge 131 and is held by the holding roller pair 155. The pair of holding rollers 155 is a holding drive motor 1
When the card 56 is driven in the reverse direction and the card C is completely received in the carrier 131, the driving of the nipping drive motor 156 is stopped. When the transport drive motor 138 is driven to horizontally move the transport body 131 to the rear of the card processing unit 34, the drive of the transport drive motor 138 is stopped. This state becomes a standby state, and waits for a purchase operation by the user.

Next, the purchase operation of the card C will be described.

When a customer inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 26, the bill is taken into the bill processing unit 15, and the authenticity and the denomination are identified. Normal banknotes are held, and abnormal banknotes are returned.

[0091] The total amount of the reserved banknotes (input amount) is displayed on the display unit 21, and the amount selection button 22 corresponding to the amount that can be purchased with the input amount is turned on.

When the customer presses the amount selection button 22 corresponding to the desired amount, the amount selection button 22 flashes, and the other amount selection buttons 22 are turned off.

When the confirmation button 23 is pressed, a card C is issued. The banknote held in the banknote processing unit 15 is stored in the corresponding storage unit. Cancel button 24
When the button is pressed, the money amount selection button 22 corresponding to the money amount that can be purchased is returned to a state in which the money amount can be selected again. Press the cancel button 24 again,
The held banknotes are returned and return to the standby state.

Next, the issue of the card C will be described.

The holding drive motor 156 of the carrier 131 is driven to rotate forward, and the card C is sent to the card processing section 34. The transport mechanism 122 of the card processing unit 34 is also driven to rotate forward, the card C is transported forward through the card transport path 121 in the card processing unit 34, and the data of the card C is processed by the data processing unit 123. Data processing includes checking for damage to card C,
This includes writing the issue amount, issue date and time, ID number, and the like. When the data is processed normally, the data is further conveyed in the card conveyance path 121 and paid out from the card issuing slot 25.

Next, rejection of the card C will be described.

When the card C sent from the carrier 131 to the card processing section 34 has been damaged in some way and data could not be processed normally, the card C is collected and a normal card C is issued. There is a need to.

The card transport path 121 in the card processing section 34 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and the card C is sent to the transport body 131. Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the nipping drive motor 156 in the carrier 131 is also driven in reverse, and the card C is
It is sent further back, losing the support of the lower surface and opening 157
From the card to the reject card collection unit 36.

The dropped card C is sent to the posture conversion unit 171.
Is converted into a standing posture, and falls into the collection cassette 172 through the slit 175 between the first guide surface 173 and the second guide surface 174. In the collection cassette 172, the sheets are stored in a state of being obliquely accumulated on the inclined accumulation bottom surface 176.

The carrier 131 that has discharged the card C moves to the rear of the card feeding section 32 where the next card C is to be fed, and
As described above, the card C fed out from the card feeding section 32 is received, and the issuing operation of the card C is repeated to issue a normal card C.

When the cards C in the collection cassette 172 are accumulated in a predetermined amount or more, the fullness detection sensor is shielded from light, and a display to that effect is displayed on the outside. The clerk who notices the display opens the door 13 of the card vending machine 11 and collects the collection cassette.
The card C in 172 is collected.

Next, preparation for issuing the next card C will be described.

When the card C is normally issued, the card C
Is carried out, and the card C to be issued next is conveyed to a position behind the card processing unit 34 to prepare for the next selling operation.

As described above, the card C fed by the card feeding section 32 from the card storage section 33 is sent to the card processing section 34 without being bent by the card transport section 35, and the data of the card C is processed and issued. it can.

Since the card collecting section 36 is provided near the position where the card is fed into the card processing section 34, the card C unsuitable for issuance discharged from the card processing section 34 can be quickly collected in the card collecting section 36.

Card C unreeled from card storage section 33
Is received and held by the carrier 131, and the carrier 131 is transported to the sending position and sent out to the card processing unit 34, so that transport failure and card damage can be prevented.

The card C not suitable for issuance is sent to the card processing unit.
It is sent back from the carrier 34 to the carrier 131, is conveyed to the opposite side of the card processing unit 34 side by the pair of nipping rollers 155 of the carrier 131, and is collected by the card collection unit 36 through the opening 157 of the carrier 131, so that it is issued. The time required for the operation of collecting the unsuitable card C can be shortened.

Since the carrier 131 holds the card C to be issued next and stands by at the sending position to the card processing unit 34, the card C can be sent to the card processing unit 34 immediately upon receiving an issuance command. The time required for issuing the card C can be shortened.

Next, FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of card feeding sections 32 and a card storage section 33 are arranged on both front and rear sides of a card transport section 35, respectively.
Each card storage section 33 arranged at the rear is the lowest card C
Is conveyed forward, and the carrier 131 is configured to receive the card C from both front and rear directions.

As described above, by arranging the plurality of card feeding sections 32 and the card storage sections 33 on both front and rear sides of the card transport section 35, a large number of card storage sections 32 can be installed. The storage amount can be increased, and the types of cards C to be handled (up to six types in this example) can be increased.

Next, FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of card feeding sections 32 and a card storage section 33 are arranged on both front and rear sides of a card transport section 35, respectively.
The card processing unit 34 is arranged side by side with the card feeding unit 32 and the card storage unit 33 at the rear. At a position facing the front of the card processing section 34 with the card transport section 35 interposed therebetween, a rear transport body 131 is provided.
, A card dispensing unit 201 that receives the card C from the front, conveys the card C forward, and pays out the card C to the card issuing slot 25 is arranged.

As a result, since the card processing unit 34 is disposed at the rear, even if the door 13 is pry open, the card processing unit 34 is hardly pulled out and stolen. The card processing unit 34 to which C is put in and out can be adopted.

[0113]

According to the card issuing device of the present invention, the card fed from the card feeding unit by the card feeding unit is sent to the card data processing unit without bending the card, and the data of the card is sent. Can be processed and issued.

According to the card issuing device of the second aspect,
In addition to the effects of the card issuing device according to the first aspect, the card collection unit is provided near the sending position, so that cards unsuitable for issuance from the card data processing unit can be quickly collected by the card collection unit.

According to the card issuing device of the third aspect,
In addition to the effect of the card issuing device according to claim 1 or 2, the card fed from the card storage unit is received and held by a carrier, and the carrier is transported to a sending position and sent to a card data processing unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent transport failure and card damage.

According to the card issuing device of the fourth aspect,
In addition to the effects of the card issuing device according to the third aspect, a card that is not suitable for issuance is sent back from the card data processing unit to the carrier, and is conveyed to the opposite side of the card data processing unit by the pair of nipping rollers of the carrier. Since the card is collected by the card collection unit through the opening of the carrier, the time required for collecting the card that is not suitable for issuance can be reduced.

According to the card issuing device of the fifth aspect,
In addition to the effect of the card issuing device according to claim 3 or 4, since the carrier holds the next card to be issued and stands by at the sending position to the card data processing unit, the card is immediately issued when the issuance command is issued. Can be sent to the card data processing section, and the time required for issuing a card can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment in which a card issuing device of the present invention is applied to a card vending machine, showing a card issuing unit of the card vending machine, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a front view. It is.

FIG. 2 shows a card issuing unit according to the first embodiment; FIG.
1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

3A and 3B show a card feeding section and a card storage section of the card issuing unit, wherein FIG. 3A is a side sectional view and FIG. 3B is a front view.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a card feeding section of the card issuing unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a card feeding section of the card issuing unit.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a guide member attached to the card feeding unit, wherein FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG. 6B is a perspective view.

7A and 7B show a transporter of the card vending machine, wherein FIG. 7A is a plan view, FIG. 7B is a front view, FIG. 7C is a side sectional view, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the vicinity of a card processing unit and a rejected card collection unit of the card vending machine.

9A and 9B show the same card vending machine, FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a normal operation of attaching / detaching a card storage unit, FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram when a jam is released, and FIG. 9C is a jam following FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of cancellation | release.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show the vicinity of a card processing unit and a rejected card collection unit of the card vending machine, wherein FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the conveyance and holding of a card, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a rejected card collection operation. It is.

FIG. 11 shows a flow of cards in the card vending machine;
(a) is a side view and (b) is a plan view.

12 shows the same card vending machine, (a) is a front view, (b)
FIG. 3 is a front view of a state where a door body is opened, and FIG. 3C is a side view showing an internal configuration.

FIG. 13 is a second embodiment in which the card issuing device of the present invention is applied to a card vending machine, showing a card issuing unit of the card vending machine, (a) is a side view showing a flow of cards, (b) is a plan view showing the flow of cards.

FIG. 14 is a third embodiment in which the card issuing device of the present invention is applied to a card vending machine, showing a card issuing unit of the card vending machine, (a) is a side view showing a flow of cards, (b) is a plan view showing the flow of cards.

[Description of Signs] 32 Card feeding section 33 Card storage section 34 Card processing section as card data processing section 35 Card conveyance section as card conveyance means 36 Card collection section 131 Carrier 135 Transport mechanism 151 Guide surface 155 Nipping roller pair 156 Drive motor as drive mechanism 157 Opening C card

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 14, 2000 (2007.1.
4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 3

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 5

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E044 AA02 CC03 DD05 DE07 FB05 FB09 3F048 AA00 AA07 AB05 BA11 BA13 BB05 DA06 EA12 3F101 BA01 BB07

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A card storage unit for storing cards in an integrated state, a card feeding unit for feeding out cards in the card storage unit one by one, and a card arranged alongside the card feeding unit for processing card data A data processing unit; and a card transport unit that moves between a receiving position for receiving a card fed by the card feeding unit and a sending position for sending a card to the card data processing unit. Card issuing device. 2. The card issuance device according to claim 1, further comprising a card collection unit provided near the sending position and for collecting cards unsuitable for issuance ejected from the card data processing unit. . 3. The card transport means includes a transport body that receives and holds a card and sends it out, and a transport mechanism that moves the transport body between a receiving position and a sending position. The card issuing device according to claim 1. 4. A carrier is provided on a card data processing unit side of the pair of nipping rollers, a driving mechanism for driving the pair of nipping rollers, and a driving mechanism for driving the pair of nipping rollers.
4. The card issuance device according to claim 3, further comprising: a guide surface for supporting a lower surface of the card to be nipped and conveyed; and an opening provided on the opposite side of the pair of nipping rollers from the card data processing unit. apparatus. 5. The card carrying means stands by at a sending position with the carrier holding the card when waiting for issuance, and sends the card from the carrier to the card data processing unit based on the issuance command. The card issuing device according to claim 3.